Hey all! Just picked up a 2011 LR4 HSE (Orkney Grey/Black Interior/Black Trim) last week, just in time for a trip up to the Berkshire Mountains in the northeast US. Traded in a very buggy 2008 GMC Acadia, which I thought was comfortable and had a nice ride (when the transmission wasn't failing), but the LR4 blows it away (and it's really pretty comparable in price to a new Acadia Denali). I was amazed at how easily and confidently the LR4 handled the winding mountain roads, especially in a few downpours. Anyway, the posts here have been really helpful, both before purchasing and in the few days since I've picked it up.
The most useful thread so far for me was the post re: headlights. Coming from a car with HIDs, I noticed the difference immediately. Installed the Philips CVs yesterday in the lows/highs/fogs, and they definitely seemed considerably brighter and whiter. Installation was pretty simple (special thanks to the suggestion here to use tape on the fog lights - saved me at least twice from losing a screw).
As for questions/comments - here goes:
1. Rear view camera - the demo at the dealer (HSE Lux) showed the guides in the rear view camera moving/curving as the steering wheel turned, to show where you're heading. On mine, those guides stay straight at all times, regardless of whether the wheel is turned. Are the "moving/curving" lines part of the vision package (which I don't have)?
2. Vision package - while I understand why HIDs and extra cameras would be extra, I was upset that LR didn't include the auto high beam assist in the models w/o the vision package. I had that feature on a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and really appreciated the extra illumination it provided on a daily basis. Yes, I can flip the brights on an off when on dark roads, but I view that a bit more as a safety feature that shouldn't cost additional at this level.
3. Memory seats - this was the only feature that was enticing me to the Lux model, but in the end I couldn't justify a few thousand extra for just that option - the other "Lux" options didn't interest me as much. I gather many of you w/o the Lux feel the same way. The salesman said that is easily the biggest complaint they are getting about the HSE non-Lux versions.
4. Service - having trouble accepting that no service is needed for 1 year/15k miles. Since I purchased the LR4 (not leased), I'm thinking I should take it in after a few thousand miles just to change the oil and filter, to clean out any new engine debris. Are these new engines really that maintenance free, or is it LR trying to keep the cost of "suggested" maintenance down?
5. Daytime running lights - those cool LEDs seem wasted to me if they can't stay on during the day (not to mention the safety benefits). I read here that some people have had the dealer program the LEDs to stay on at all times, but the downside is that the low beams also stay on as well at all times. Has anyone discovered a way to have just the LEDs stay on? I'm thinking of having the dealer turn this feature on either way, since the only downside is replacing the set of $30 low beam bulbs more often (guessing at least once or twice per year) - not really that big of a deal.
6. Stereo - while the interface could certainly use a little work, the stereo in this car really rocks and is really crisp at HIGH volumes, especially hooked up to an iPod. I only say that because I read that an option on the 2012 was something like an 800 watt system. Makes me wonder - does LR own a hearing aid company as well?
7. Fuel economy - 500 miles this past weekend in the mountains - averaged 18.5 mpg from start to finish (according to the trip computer). I found that to be amazing considering it's rated at 17 for highway, and that was a combined highway/city average. My old Acadia - at best 11-12 mpg around town, and about 17-18 combined MPG on longer trips. To me, the difference is that the LR4's big engine doesn't need to strain to get going and to go up hills, while the 6 cylinder Acadia engine was always revving much higher just to keep pace (particularly up hills).
Anyway, thanks for all the info on here, and sorry for the longish post, but I find with my other cars, the more feedback/info on these boards, the better (particularly for those in shopping mode). The LR4 was a bit of a mystery to me as recent as a few weeks ago, until my wife cajoled me into stopping in the local dealer. I was thinking about something bigger - Suburban/Yukon/Sequoia - to replace our Acadia, but after exploring and driving the LR4, I was sold on this "smaller" SUV.
The most useful thread so far for me was the post re: headlights. Coming from a car with HIDs, I noticed the difference immediately. Installed the Philips CVs yesterday in the lows/highs/fogs, and they definitely seemed considerably brighter and whiter. Installation was pretty simple (special thanks to the suggestion here to use tape on the fog lights - saved me at least twice from losing a screw).
As for questions/comments - here goes:
1. Rear view camera - the demo at the dealer (HSE Lux) showed the guides in the rear view camera moving/curving as the steering wheel turned, to show where you're heading. On mine, those guides stay straight at all times, regardless of whether the wheel is turned. Are the "moving/curving" lines part of the vision package (which I don't have)?
2. Vision package - while I understand why HIDs and extra cameras would be extra, I was upset that LR didn't include the auto high beam assist in the models w/o the vision package. I had that feature on a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and really appreciated the extra illumination it provided on a daily basis. Yes, I can flip the brights on an off when on dark roads, but I view that a bit more as a safety feature that shouldn't cost additional at this level.
3. Memory seats - this was the only feature that was enticing me to the Lux model, but in the end I couldn't justify a few thousand extra for just that option - the other "Lux" options didn't interest me as much. I gather many of you w/o the Lux feel the same way. The salesman said that is easily the biggest complaint they are getting about the HSE non-Lux versions.
4. Service - having trouble accepting that no service is needed for 1 year/15k miles. Since I purchased the LR4 (not leased), I'm thinking I should take it in after a few thousand miles just to change the oil and filter, to clean out any new engine debris. Are these new engines really that maintenance free, or is it LR trying to keep the cost of "suggested" maintenance down?
5. Daytime running lights - those cool LEDs seem wasted to me if they can't stay on during the day (not to mention the safety benefits). I read here that some people have had the dealer program the LEDs to stay on at all times, but the downside is that the low beams also stay on as well at all times. Has anyone discovered a way to have just the LEDs stay on? I'm thinking of having the dealer turn this feature on either way, since the only downside is replacing the set of $30 low beam bulbs more often (guessing at least once or twice per year) - not really that big of a deal.
6. Stereo - while the interface could certainly use a little work, the stereo in this car really rocks and is really crisp at HIGH volumes, especially hooked up to an iPod. I only say that because I read that an option on the 2012 was something like an 800 watt system. Makes me wonder - does LR own a hearing aid company as well?
7. Fuel economy - 500 miles this past weekend in the mountains - averaged 18.5 mpg from start to finish (according to the trip computer). I found that to be amazing considering it's rated at 17 for highway, and that was a combined highway/city average. My old Acadia - at best 11-12 mpg around town, and about 17-18 combined MPG on longer trips. To me, the difference is that the LR4's big engine doesn't need to strain to get going and to go up hills, while the 6 cylinder Acadia engine was always revving much higher just to keep pace (particularly up hills).
Anyway, thanks for all the info on here, and sorry for the longish post, but I find with my other cars, the more feedback/info on these boards, the better (particularly for those in shopping mode). The LR4 was a bit of a mystery to me as recent as a few weeks ago, until my wife cajoled me into stopping in the local dealer. I was thinking about something bigger - Suburban/Yukon/Sequoia - to replace our Acadia, but after exploring and driving the LR4, I was sold on this "smaller" SUV.
